Reading Buses raise £13,750 for Alzheimer's Society

Charity Alzheimer's Society has received a helping hand in the form of a big cheque from Reading Buses.

A total of £13,750 was raised by Reading Buses' employees and customers during the course of 2015.

The sum was presented to representatives of Alzheimer's Society on Tuesday, January 12 and surpassed their previous record of £9,500 which they presented to Launchpad last year.

Linda Barnes an Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager called the support 'overwhelming' and said: "Not only have they raised thousands of pounds for us, but they’ve really helped to raise awareness of dementia."

Reading Buses HR Director Caroline Anscombe explained staff had been taking part in various challenges including a football tournament to raise money.

The main fundraising event was an open day which raised £6,000 of the total.

said: "The open day has been supplemented by lots of fundraising activities by the employees of Reading buses.

“These have been wide and varied, from our control room team taking on various challenges, to our driving staff running, cycling and organising a charity football tournament.

“Coupled with our support staff wearing Christmas jumpers and engineers doing a spot of ‘rust rallying,’ everyone has really engaged with Alzheimer’s to take things even further than before.”

The total funds of nearly £14,000 will help the local branch of Alzheimer's Society which estimates it needs £75,000 a year to operate.

She added: "Reading Buses wish Alzheimer’s Society all the very best for the future and hope that the generosity of the people of Reading continues to help fund this amazing charity.”